The McDonough City Council voted at its March 5 meeting to approve the appointment of Vanessa Thomas to the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals, as well as the appointment of Stanley Head to the Planning Commission. This was done under the council’s consent agenda without discussion, and the vote was unanimous.

  Also approved was a $15,820 agreement for Goforth Williamson, Inc. to disassemble and repair the high service delivery pump at the Water Treatment Plant, along with an $11,708 purchase from the same company of a crane solids handling self-priming replacement pump for the Church Circle Pump Station.

  In other business, the council approved a request for proposals regarding a solar farm, as well as a purchase of omni lights for up to $297,000. Both measures were approved 6-1, with council member Roger Pruitt voting in opposition.

  According to officials, the solar farm project would allow the city to produce some of its own energy and provide a new source of revenue. Also discussed was a proposal for the city to produce its own solar energy with the addition of solar light poles that will include options for Wifi, security cameras and charging stations.

  The council approved an allocation of $500,000 in SPLOST funds for capital improvements regarding McDonough Housing Authority rehabilitation projects, specifically the modernization of public housing apartment units. The vote was unanimous. The discussion included McDonough Housing Authority board member Gina Riffey as well as executive director Shanicki Burton, who noted that the authority is in the process of modernizing some of the apartment units and they need to move forward with kitchen and bathroom renovations.

  The council approved the hiring of a crossing guard for Wesley Lakes Elementary School who would be paid from McDonough Police Department funds. The vote was unanimous. The funding request was made by council member Sandra Vincent, and Wesley Lakes Elementary principal Jodye Callaway spoke to the council about safety issues at the school. McDonough police chief Preston Dorsey said that he had reached out to Henry County officials about the issue but was refused any assistance with providing a crossing guard at the school, so he asked the city to allow him to hire one.

  Also approved was the purchase and installation of a parking meter kiosk for the recently completed Rainer parking lot at a $6,560. Vincent and Kamali Varner voted in opposition to the move. Fire chief Steve Morgan informed the council that two-thirds of business owners polled were in favor of meters being installed in the new lot. Vincent said that her purpose in discussing the issue was to address merchant parking, not the general public, and she suggested that the city should offer some type of parking pass that would be offered to merchants and employees who work in the area.

  The council approved a moratorium ordinance regarding water services in the city. The action came after discussion about the need to re-evaluate the city’s capacity to provide water in light of the accelerated growth that has taken place over the past five years. Officials stated that a review of the city’s infrastructure is also needed to ensure that sustainable land development practices continue. Vincent, who cast the lone dissenting vote, expressed concerns over individuals seeking water services through the Henry County Water Authority if a city moratorium is in place.